(1) The driver of a vehicle who knows or who has reason to believe that he
or she has been involved in an accident upon public or private property that
is open to travel by the public shall immediately stop his or her vehicle
at the scene of the accident and shall remain there until the requirements
of section 619 are fulfilled or immediately report the accident to the nearest
or most convenient police agency or officer to fulfill the requirements of
section 619(a) and (b) if there is a reasonable and honest belief that remaining
at the scene will result in further harm. The stop shall be made without
obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), if the individual violates subsection
(1) and the accident results in serious impairment of a body function or
death, the individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for
not more than 5 years or by a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

(3) If the individual violates subsection (1) following an accident caused
by that individual and the accident results in the death of another individual,
the individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more
than 15 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.

(1) The driver of a vehicle who knows or who has reason to believe that he
has been involved in an accident upon public or private property that is
open to travel by the public shall immediately stop his or her vehicle at
the scene of the accident and shall remain there until the requirements of
section 619 are fulfilled or immediately report the accident to the nearest
or most convenient police agency or officer to fulfill the requirements of
section 619(a) and (b) if there is a reasonable and honest belief that remaining
at the scene will result in further harm. The stop shall be made without
obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

(2) If an individual violates subsection (1) and the accident results in
injury to any individual, the individual is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable
by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00,
or both.

(3) The secretary of state shall suspend the operator's or chauffeur's license
of an individual convicted of violating this section as provided in section
319.

(1) An indictment for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to
commit murder, criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, or a violation
of the Michigan anti-terrorism act, chapter LXXXIII-A of the Michigan penal
code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.543a to 750.543z, or a violation of chapter XXXIII
of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.200 to 750.212a, that is
punishable by life imprisonment may be found and filed at any time.

(2) An indictment for a violation or attempted violation of section 145c,
520c, 520d, 520e, or 520g of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.145c,
750.520c, 750.520d, 750.520e, and 750.520g, may be found and filed as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), an indictment may be
found and filed within 10 years after the offense is committed or by the
alleged victim's twenty-first birthday, whichever is later.

(b) If evidence of the violation is obtained and that evidence contains DNA
that is determined to be from an unidentified individual, an indictment against
that individual for the violation may be found and filed at any time after
the offense is committed. However, after the individual is identified, the
indictment may be found and filed within 10 years after the individual is
identified or by the alleged victim's twenty-first birthday, whichever is
later.

(c) As used in this subsection:

(i) "DNA" means human deoxyribonucleic acid.

(ii) "Identified" means the individual's legal name is known and he or she
has been determined to be the source of the DNA.

(3) An indictment for kidnapping, extortion, assault with intent to commit
murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, or first-degree home invasion may
be found and filed within 10 years after the offense is committed.

(4) An indictment for identity theft or attempted identity theft may be found
and filed as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), an indictment may be
found and filed within 6 years after the offense is committed.

(b) If evidence of the violation is obtained and the individual who committed
the offense has not been identified, an indictment may be found and filed
at any time after the offense is committed, but not more than 6 years after
the individual is identified.

(5) All other indictments may be found and filed within 6 years after
the offense is committed.

(6) Any period during which the party charged did not usually and publicly
reside within this state is not part of the time within which the respective
indictments may be found and filed.

(7) The extension or tolling, as applicable, of the limitations period provided
in this section applies to any of those violations for which the limitations
period has not expired at the time the extension or tolling takes effect.

Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 1 of Act 6 of 2001 provides:Enacting
section 1. The legislature intends that the extension or tolling, as applicable,
of the limitations period provided in this amendatory act shall apply to
any of those violations for which the limitations period has not expired
at the time this amendatory act takes effect.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1, 2005 Stakoe legislation signed into law
Measure strengthens law on leaving scene of accident

State Rep. John Stakoe today announced his bill strengthening the law for
fleeing the scene of an accident was signed by Gov. Granholm.

Previously, drivers were only required to stop and remain at the scene of
an accident if the driver knew it resulted in injury or death of a person
or damage to the vehicle. Drivers must stay at the scene until he or she
has given his or her name and address, the car registration number, and the
name and address of the vehicle owner, along with showing his or her driver's
license, to a police officer, the person struck or the driver or occupants
of any vehicle collided with.

Public Act 3 of 2005, formerly House Bill 4210, requires people to remain
at the scene and fulfill the above requirements regardless of whether or
not the driver knew or had reason to believe someone was injured or damage
to the vehicle occurred.

This law clears up a major loophole, said Stakoe, R-Highland.
It was very difficult to prove in court that a person leaving the scene
of an accident knew an injury or property damage had occurred  especially
in drunk driving cases. This eliminates that level of deniability.

This page is added for reference only. Laws may have been changed since and
information shown may be incomplete or erroneous. Use of this information
is at users risk and only an accredited attorney can advise you of the exact
law in each state. This page deals with state leaving the scene laws only
and hit and run drivers may face other charges.

The webmaster appreciates being notified of errors, additions, deletions
or necessary corrections.